We are constantly being told how many people live in strata schemes. Currently a quarter of the population of greater Sydney lives in strata title and it is anticipated that by 2040 this figure will rise to half of the population.

Owners corporations and their strata committees may find almost overwhelming questions like “what records do I need to keep”, “how should I keep them” and “how long do I need to keep them”. Although greater regulation has increased the variety of records which must be retained, developments in technology and associated law do make this an easier task.

Business proprietors may find almost overwhelming questions like “what records do I need to keep”, “how should I keep them” and “how long do I need to keep them”. Although greater regulation in turn increases the variety of records which must be retained, developments in technology and associated law do make this an easier task.

There seems to be a common misconception that an owners corporation requires permission from its strata managing agent to access the strata roll and other records maintained for it by its agent. That access is often denied, frequently citing privacy law concerns. This is a misconception, because these are the owners corporation's own records and it is entitled to them under various legal principles.

A strata managing agent acting for an owners corporations involved in a legal proceedings usually holds sensitive documents relating to the proceedings. Other parties in those proceedings may wish to access those records. One of those parties or an associate may own a lot in the scheme and assert a right to inspect such records under section 182 of the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 (“the Act”).